What is the Difference Between Substitutional and Interstitial Alloys?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between substitutional and interstitial alloys lies in how they form and the size of the atoms involved:
- Substitutional Alloys:
- Form when one metal atom substitutes another metal atom in the crystal lattice.
- Involve relatively similar-sized atoms.
- Examples include brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin).
- Interstitial Alloys:
- Form when small atoms fit into gaps between larger atoms in the crystal lattice.
- Involve different-sized atoms, with at least a 15% difference in size.
- An example is steel (iron and carbon).
Due to their differences in formation and atomic sizes, substitutional and interstitial alloys have distinct properties:
- Substitutional alloys tend to be malleable and ductile.
- Interstitial alloys are usually less malleable and ductile, but harder, more corrosion-resistant, and have a higher melting point.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Substitutional and Interstitial Alloys? Comparative Table: Substitutional vs Interstitial Alloys
Comparative Table: Substitutional vs Interstitial Alloys
The main difference between substitutional and interstitial alloys lies in how they form. Here is a table comparing the two types of alloys:
Property | Substitutional Alloys | Interstitial Alloys |
---|---|---|
Formation | Form when atoms of one element substitute into the crystal lattice structure of another element, usually with similar atomic radii | Form when small atoms fill in the interstitial spaces (holes) of the lattice structure of larger atoms, usually with different atomic radii |
Malleability and Ductility | Remain malleable and ductile | Tend to be less malleable and ductile |
Examples | Brass and bronze | Steel |
Substitutional alloys are created when atoms of one element replace atoms of another element in the crystal lattice, typically when the atoms have similar sizes. On the other hand, interstitial alloys form when smaller atoms fit into the interstitial spaces (holes) in the lattice structure of larger atoms.
Read more:
- Substitutional vs Interstitial Solid Solution
- Intermetallic Compounds vs Solid Solution Alloys
- Alloy vs Intermetallic Compound
- Alloy vs Amalgam
- Alloy vs Compound
- Alloy vs Composite
- Metal vs Alloy
- Alternate vs Substitute
- Lattice Site vs Interstitial Site
- Alloy vs Aluminum
- Synthesis Reaction vs Substitution Reaction
- Polymer Blends vs Alloys
- Ferrous vs Nonferrous Alloys
- Heat-treatable vs Non-heat-treatable Alloys
- Low Alloy Steel vs High Alloy Steel
- Adulteration vs Substitution
- Transition Metals vs Inner Transition Metals
- Addition vs Substitution Reaction
- Transition Metals vs Metals